Tilting cantilever table top structure



Sept. 18, 1951 A. J. KlzAuR TILTING CANTILEVER TABLE TOP STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Shee l Filed Jan. 26, 1948 7,1. @am zalm* 's PWMWWMNWH Sept. 18, 1951 A. J. KlzAuR TILTING CANTILEVER TABLE TOP STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Shee- 2 Filed Jan. 26, 1948 Patented Sept. 18, 1951/ UNITED 'STAT ES PATE-NT oA-NTILEVER TABLE T91 STRUCTURE;`

Arthur'J. :Kizaulg 'Wauwatosznv Wis;, assigner te General -Electre Company; a corporation of New 'York Application January 26 19.4.8; Serial N9.- Mt f,

10 Claims.

further object ,beinglto provide .tilting table support `niieans comprising a sing-le link element pivotedatspaced [bearing stations therein, respeetively on a table support/:hase vand on .the .table top structure, at one side `thereof only, said link elementbeing adapted 'tofcarry' the table structnre at any ydesired inclination between horizontal Eand' vertical VpositionsIac'zi'ng one direction and between Ahorizontal and ,a ,substantial angle i of tilt of the vorder etat leasft l3'0" ,in the Jopposite direction; a still further'objeet being .to 'provide means4 yfor :tiltaoly supporting atable .entirely on .one side -thereofjthereby 'leaving the other side Vfree and unobstructed, sothat ,carrying means for radiographic, "orlother equipment, 1,may be mounted on .the table '.for "funharnperedfadjus'tment along the yopposite, unsupported side of. the table- Another important 5opject is to `provide `novel tiltable table -suppoigtvmeans .Comprising .a single; relatively rigid, preferably .tubular ,arm or link connected natospaced pointstheein for ,pivotal movement respectively, "Ori a' support' 'base 'arid on A,the Ltable, whereby to prvide'ffor ,thellsllpprt of,the table vincantilever fashion 'onV` one s ide thereof Jonly, `while allowing y,extensive `tilting movement of .the table .1, in either f direction.'

TAnother important objecti'stoprovidea table structure of the c'haraetermentioried Whereintne supporting armor .,linkjis'enclosed within the frame ofthe table, ,atene side thereof. `Another importantobject `is to `form the Vtable as' a framework comprising hollow, 'tubular memhers, ,and to form thevsuppornpedestal, at least in vpart, of hollow, sheet metal structural elemerits Vin order .to provide a rigid, yetlrelatively light weight pedestaLand table structure; va ,fur-` tirer object ibeing `to VInovide apedestal ,having its; lower portions` .cutaway tO-provide toe hspace f orfaneberawr this. enabling mm1- 0 approach thetamecMSdy-.fa :supportefdeStlSide! v'Among the other important general objects of Vthe inven ""ftoirov'idea cantilever 'table support A i f airigidity so that meterle, e. n when heavily loadd animee will supportits load accurately preeise position. -f

The ,foregeine vand numerqgs other imperiali@ objects, advantaes, `vinherent"inne'tioiis"o'tr the 'invention vvrll'bv Ine ar tfaslthesanie structure, has the Supp@ essere@ j 3 prising a single mounting arm or link I4, for mounting the table on the pedestal. An extensible operating device I5, preferably comprising a hydraulic cylinder I6 and a cooperating piston I'I, may be operatively connected between the table and the pedestal .for tilting the former with respect tothe latter. V,

As shown, the frame I2 is preferably of hollow,

sheet metal construction comprising a pair ofv spaced apart, longitudinally extending members I8 and I9, rigidly interconnected-in spaced relationship by transverse bracing and spacing members 28 and 2I, said members l8 ll3, 20, and 2| preferably comprising tubular members of metal, such as steel, having preferably rectangular sectional conguration, although it will be apparent that the present invention `is not `necessarily limited to the rectangular sectional shape of the frame members. The frame members, of course, may be secured together in any suitable or convenient fashion, asby welding, whereby to provide an exceedingly rigi d'yet relatively inexpensive framestructure,,thepreferred box-like character of theframe members alordinga structure of unusual rigidity.

The `frame member I8, on one side of the frame, is preferably substantially deeper than the member I9 formingdthreopposite side ofthe frame, the member I8 being preferably of U-shaped sectional conilguratiori, with' a, longitudinally extending bracing andnspacingplate' 22 interconnected between and 'extending substantially throughout the length ofthe spaced side walls of the member I8. Thelcentral portions of this plate are cut away or omittedl to form a gap or opening 23 therein at the eentralpotions of the member I8, morder that the ,top of the pedestal I3 and the link I4 mayextendthrough and operate in said opening'. y

The pedestal I3 preferably Acomprises an upright member 24, whichn'iay'v comprise a casting, for strength and rigidity; or vit may comprise a fabricated sheet metal structure. lIts upper end forms a mounting` 25 Ifor a suitable bearing 26, such asa needle bearing,while the lower portions of the upright areI formed to rest upon the floor or other support base' on `which the table is to be supported. Adjacent the bearing mounting 25 the upright 24 mayprovide an upwardly facing shoulder 21, for a purpose hereinafter more fully explained. Beyond this shoulder, from the bearing 26, the upright may be formedA with a cavity or recess 28', in its forward face,.in which the operating device I may be. snpported on the upright for tilting movement Ion a pivot mounting 28 which servesltopivotally support one end of the operating device I 5 on the fpedestal.

The arm or I4 preferably comprises a tubular member 29 forming a torque tube provided at one end with a fitting 3K0'comprising a bearing yoke adapted to pivotally connect the arm with the bearing 26, as by means of a bearing pin 3|, whereby the arm -I4 is pivotally supported on and at the top of the pedestal upright 24. Intermediate its ends, the member I4 may be provided with a downwardlyextending l stop member 32 in position to engage'the shoulder21 of thepedestal upright, in orderto'limit Qth'e movement of the arm or link I4 on the'bearing 26 in a counterclockwise direction, viewing Fig: 5', the arm preferably occupying substantially'horizontal position on the pedestal whenv vthesto'p member 32v is in engagement with the seat 2'I`."` AThe arm I4, at its end remote from the' fitting .'38, isfprovided with a. fitting 33'adapted tcarrya Apivot lpin 34 for pivotally connecting the arm with the frame I2; the pin 34, to this end, extending at its opposite ends in bearings 35 formed on the spaced walls of the U-shaped member I8, said bearings being located within the box-like structure formed by the U-shaped member I8 and the strengthening plate 22.

The upper portions ofthe fitting 38 are preferably extended to form a bearing plate 38 on the arm I4, in position to engage the inner face of the member I8. The table frame I2, thus, is normally supported on the arm at the bearing 35 and at the bearing plate 36. The arm I4, in turn, is normally supported on the pedestal I3 by the bearing 26 and the shoulder 2`I. Accordingly, the table frame I2 may be supported in a normal, preferably horizontal position, on the pedestal, and may be tilted in either direction from such normal position. To this end, the operating device I5 may be pivotally connected, as at the bearing 26 on the pedestal upright, and at a bearing 3'I on the frame I2, as at one vvend of the frame member I8. As shown, the cylinder I6 is pivotally connected on the bearing 28 and the piston II is connected at the bearing 3'I.

By operating the device I5 to project the piston I1, from a neutral or rest position, the frame I2 may be tilted in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 1, from the normal horizontal position to a substantially vertical position shown in dotted lines, the arm I4 during such movement turning on the pedestal I3 at the bearing 26, and moving with the frame I2, without any relative rotation between the arm I4 and the frame I2 at the pivot 34. Even when the table is in vertical position, its weight and the weight supported thereby will keep the table frame in bearing engagement with the plate 36.

By retracting the'piston I'I in the cylinder I6; from its neutral position, the table frame I2 may be tilted from normal position, in the opposite.'- or counter-clockwise, direction, to the position shown in dashed lines in Fig. l, such position inr the illustrated embodiment representing a maximum tilt of the order of 30. A greater degree' of tilting may, of course, be obtained, if desired, by extending the operating travel of the device I5. Ordinarily, in tables for X-ray purposes, a tilt in one direction, with a 30 tilt in the other, is adequate for all purposes.

It will be seen from the foregoing thatlvthe frame I2 is supported, in cantilever fashion, entirely from one side thereof, upon the pedestal I3, which may, in addition to the upright 24, comprise a transverse arm 38, preferably of sheet metal construction. This arm lmay conveniently comprise a channel member provided with a flange for attaching it at one end to the lower portions of the upright 24, as by means of bolts 39. When so attached, the arm 38 may extend beneath the table frame I2 to a point below the unsupported or rear Aside I9 thereof; and the member 38, at its end remote'from the upright 24, may be provided with a flange for attachment, as by means of bolts 40, with a foot member 4I, preferably comprising a hollow, sheet'met'al beam of rectangular sectional configuration.

The table frame I2, of course, may carry a top' structure, secured to the frame I2 in any suitable or preferred fashion and embodying a panel'v'42.' in position overlying the top of the frame. llm"- mediately beneath the panel 42, the frame I2 may provide a mounting for a cassette and a diaphragm carriage 43,' the'v same v'being lprovided with bearing "wheels 44 vin'position to ridefup'o'nf -fsuitaisietraeks ist "fthe fraise nemers-legano *till-lsb platine carriage it 'may-te shifted te any *desired fnositin ldilgtiidilally `0f ythe frei-tile l2. f" The frame I2 "also irl'ay providefslippoit for adjustable iframe means '46, Vsaid rfarne- 46 being jfbvidd With Wheels 41 iii position-'to pr'ate in 1 48 extending longitudinally fand Cai"- #l'tlf-by vvthe frame members 'I8 and lil,y` The -jf lMila may carryHasub-rramaor fffm ,se irc? movement on the frame at transversely with -tdtlie 'table/frame l2.' This frame 4'9 may have a portion extending beneath and out- "wardly ef the frame-member' lamp-@sinon to jddi-Y an iipstanding support structurel' adapted ite serve as al' mounting .for Vequipnic'nt *suchwias Xi-IY source 5 I 'This 'i115standil'lgf nountll'g ililfftlie X-"ray source and tne'mechanism for sup- Trtg thesame on the mounting.,A may 'be l'fvany suitable or preferredconstruction, such L flisfillustrated and described in 4United States v'LetrfiszPtelltNo. 2,315,786, issiled April 6, 1943, 'on the invention of JuliusJ. Grobe,:and the .fcar- 43 -and 46 maybe suitably'counterebalthe ssame. is Atilted by, counter-balancing means disposed within-.the hollow table `frame I2, inthe lanne-r describedin my ycoepending application .for `United StatesLetters Patent, Serial No. ,f684;650, filed July 19, 1946,. and now UnitedStates Letters Patent Nol. 2 ,1526l3'17 9. ASuitablemeans for .adjusting the carriages, the X-ray `source and :Father aluiiliary equipmentA and forloCk-irlg the same in position may, lof course, be provided.

AINlSllitable or preferred hydraulic operating and control means, also, may be provided for actuating the hydraulic device I5, including means for locking the device to hold the :tablein any 'tilted position within itsmr'nge, and I'in its normal or horizontal position.'

The upright 24 may conveniently comprise a hollow structure fabricated of formed sheet metal .iilateS', welded or otherwise'eonnected: together. The .upright mayexten'd vertically beneathffthe -vftablefframe member I8, Aandniay' include a foot i disposed vertically beneath the bearing 26. his fot portion is preferably sized to tbetween the side walls of. the frame; member I3, vat Ithe eI-id thereof, when the Ytable is in` vertical-position, sshownin dotted lines inFig. 1l.; and, tothisend, 4the bracing plate 22 may be omitted or-cutawaM atthe'end of member IS, to `form an opening V`53 vitdreceive-the foot 52. From said foot tothefopn -psiteend of the ,upright the same is formed-to ,ll-avide a space Blite receivel the toes,fof an idperator of the table. beneath andinwarollyofgthe rontwall of the upright, sotha-t theuoperator may stand closelyalongside of the table. The end of the uprightrenote fromv the 'foot 52 may be provided with an adjustable foot 54 for table li ling purposes, said foot conveniently vm- -lii' sing a .stem threaded- 'into the upri I adapted to support the same at a desired elevation above a floor on which the table may be supported. This adjustable foot 54 is preferably located substantially inwardly of the front face of the upright 24 to avoid interference with the toes of the operator. Adjustable feet, similar to the foot 54', may, if desired, be provided on the member 4I, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

The present invention is directed more particularly to the exceedingly simple and novel arrangement embodying the single arm or link Ill, which serves as the sole support of the table frame I2 on the pedestal I3, and which enables the use and' lLlA

y assetto '6 l lrarelauvly simple ami inexpensive, yet readily '--entillatle hydraulic rain: elementflt ioiftilung tileStable ln veither direction from the horizontal tnrgnan-unusually wide range oftilungnive- 4-lniafit the 'structure herein illustrated bei-sgmlta- 451e threugh'substatlally eo'lerle dir'egion, and te aninclinationf 30 in the athena tetanusing miinent f 120% y l '1t is tnougllt that the inventionandiits numeradvantages, trie form herein disons-ea seing apr-@ferrea embodiment-fer the purpose of ellllglstraung snelst/'enden l l l sensatie frame `Afer tilting 1s-@vement die sass 'sa uiting denn-ea by bearings spared 'ap-aa essa-mums f v I il tilting table structur scalp-rising' a su-pffclflpnsmg a link 1v-laying pivotal son-section v'ryespeetiveiywitn said ease aus frame,- errne side "of the iframe only, said link serving to support saisit-,able for tilting navenant-fen tnetase Se" tilting axes defined by `-loeanirg's spacecapart ibnl'sai unaesrsang tile une and @ease te sussen the lisis `the ease normal stable position at a load station spaced from the "pivotal .connection of the 'tl'i base, and -cot'ipratirig means on v the lii'il and 'frame fr 'sliprtiiig the iframe on the linkin stablepsition Lat bear-ing' v station spaced lfrom the' 1 pivotal conl tin of the lilik with the frame. 3f tilting tablestrlic'tiir asi-set iol-th 'lai -Z "includig'fexteiisibl land rtactalle'table tiltmeans connected between die'table='fia`rif`le 'and sef-aiid'opiabl in "one direction from a neutral i"prisitiilto tilt vthe table frame and linkn the "base, in vone''di-ieectic'nli from its normal stable positic'm, abouttheV pivotal connection-ofsaid-link fiiftli basesaid tilting 'means being-dinerv b1' iii A"the other direction, fromsaidlneutial position,- to tilt-"the `tablefrai, on'the link and base, inthe posits direc'sticl'nfrom said normal stable plus? t-ioll, fab'ut the fpivtal' ce1-irlectio'nl'ff i thev table frame on the link. p l

'43.- A tilting table structure comprising a support `base, a 'table frame, to support said table fratrie on "saidbfase,- antilevraslfii. ico 'prising a liiilfh'avi-ng" pivotal connection-re spctively' lwith saidbas and Vi-ralna'l on; one fslde of the frame only, said link serving to support said table frame for tilting movement on the base on tilting axes defined by bearings spaced apart on said link, said link comprising a hollow torque tube between said spaced apart tilting axes to rigidly support said table frame, in cantilever fashion, on said base by twistingly loading the torque tube between said tilting axes.

5. A tilting table structure comprising a support base. a table frame, means to support said table frame on said base, in cantilever fashion. comprising a link having pivotal connection respectively with said base and frame, on one side of: the frame only, saidlinkserving to support said table frame for tilting movement on the base on tilting axes spaced on said link, said link coinprising a cylindrical torque tube having spaced apart pin bearings secured thereto in position deiining said spaced tilting axes and a pivot pin extendingin each of said bearings and secured respectively on said base and table frame.

v6. A tilting table structure comprising a support-base, a table frame, means to support said table frame on said base, in cantilever fashion, comprising a link having pivotal connection respectivelywith said base yand frame, on one side ofthe frame only, said link serving to support said table frame for tilting movement on the base on tilting axes dened by bearings spaced apart on said link, andmeans on said link for supporting said frame on the link substantially at the pivotal connection ofthe link on the base whereby -the table frame may be pivotally supported on the link at one of said spaced axes and bearingly ,supportedthereon adjacent the other.

7. A tilting table structure-comprising a support base, a table frame, means to support said table frame on said base,v in cantilever fashion, comprising a link having pivotal connection respectively with said base and frame on one side of the frame only, said link serving to support said table frame for tilting movement on the base on tilting axes defined by bearings spaced apart on said link and connected respectively with a f rame pivot pin on said table frame and a base pivot pin on said base, said link having a frame support portion spaced from said frame pivot pin, beyond said base pivot pin, to normally support the table frame on said link at said frame pivot pin and at said frame support portion disposed in said link on opposite sides of said base pivot pin.

8. A tilting table structure comprising a relatively wide upright member of limited thickness providing a support base having appreciable spread in the direction of its width, base pivot means formed in the upper portions of said base,

.faltable frame comprising a hollow longitudinally Aextending channel member formed to receive and .enclose the upper portions of said base, frame pivot means Yon and extending within said chanfnel member, and means vto support said table `frame, in cantilever fashion, onsaid base comprising a torque link extending in said channel ymember and `having spaced pivots respectively forming pivotal connectionwith said base and -frame pivot mean s, to thereby support said frame on said base, at one -side ofthe frame, only, through .twisting load applied to said link `at said spaced pivots.

9. A tilting table structure comprising a relatively wide, upright v member of restricted thickness providing a base having an appreciable spreadin the direction of its width, base pivot means and an Vadjacent upwardly facing shoulder formed in the upper portions of said base, a table frame, frame pivot means on said frame at one side thereof, means to support said table frame, in cantilever fashion, on said base comprising a link having pivotal connection, at spaced pivot stations in the link, respectively, with said base and frame pivot means, to thereby support said link and frame for tilting movement on said base about said base pivot means and to support said frame for tilting movement on said link and base about said frame pivot means, saidv link being normally supported on said base pivot and on said upwardly facing shoulder. 1

l0. A tilting table structure comprising a relatively wide upright member of restricted thickness providing a base having appreciable spread in the direction of its width, base pivot means formed in the upper portions of said base, a'table frame comprising a hollow longitudinallyv ,extending channel member adapted to receiveand enclose the upper portions of said base, frame pivot means on and extending within said channel member, and a link extending in said channel member and having pivotal connection, respectively, with said base and frame pivot means, whereby to support said link and frame respectively for tilting movement on said base land on the link, on tilting axes spaced apart on said link, said base having a supporting foot disposed substantially vertically beneath the base pivot means, said foot being disposed in position -to be received within said hollow channel member. at an end thereof, when said frame is in vertical position, on said base pivot. V J f,

ARTHUR J. KIZAUR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date d' Number Name 467,991 Frederick Feb. 2, 1892 529,210 Storz et' al. Nov. 13, 1894 632,804 Congour Sept. 12, 1899 729,432 Sidway et al May 26, 1903 971,081 Schnorr Sept. 27, 1910 1,261,424 Miller Apr. 2, 1918 1,599,696 Wantz Sept. 14, 1926 1,728,933 Hawkins Sept. 24,1929 1,872,849 Towens Aug. 23, 1932 1,874,582 Nelson Aug. 30, 1932 1,916,537 Smith July 4, 1933 2,038,327 Wantz Apr. 21, 1936 2,123,528 Goldfleld et al. July 12, 1938 2,306,031 Anderson et a1 Dec. 22, 1942 2,315,786 Grobe Apr. 6, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 358,059 Great Britain Oct. 2, 1932 493,280 Great Britain Oct. 3, 1938 

